ANGELS 3, ASTROS 1: Winning streak extends to six games

HOUSTON - Josh Hamilton is starting to break out of his season-long slump, and it has helped the Angels string together some wins.

Hamilton doubled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and scored on shortstop Jake Elmore's poor throw to help the Angels beat the Houston Astros 3-1 on Sunday to extend their winning streak to six.

C.J. Wilson won his fourth consecutive start and Mark Trumbo hit his 18th homer for the Angels, who swept three-game series at Detroit and Houston for their first undefeated trip of at least six games since 2002.

"There's no doubt that I think there's a comfort level that you can see starting to form," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We talked a while about it, but Josh is important to us and it's good to see him swinging the bat better this trip."

Hamilton, who left Texas to sign a five-year, $125 million contract during the offseason, is hitting just .223. But he's been better lately, with 11 RBIs in his last 16 games after driving in just 10 in his previous 50 games. He is batting .273 with nine hits and five RBIs in his last 10 games.

Scioscia is encouraged by the recent surge of the Angels, who are in third place and nine games back in the AL-West.

"I think there's a feeling of confidence in the clubhouse and on the field, which is more important," he said. "Although I don't think we're firing totally on all cylinders, we're doing enough good things to get it done."

Wilson (8-5) allowed an unearned run, three hits and three walks and struck out 10 for his third double-digit strikeout game this season. Ernesto Frieri pitched a one-hit ninth for his 21st save in 23 chances.

Trumbo's fourth-inning homer put the Angels ahead, but Houston tied the score in the sixth.

Kendrick singled off Jose Cisnero (2-1) leading off the eighth and Albert Pujols struck out. Hamilton then doubled off the wall in left-center. Barnes, the center fielder, threw to Elmore at shortstop, and Elmore made a poor throw to the plate for his third error in two games.